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Chicago Water Tower in Chicago

The historical Chicago Water Tower standpipe in Chicago near the Hancock Tower and Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue. Because.. if you need a standpipe, of course you give it a gothic castle facade!

 

Built 1867-1869 out of Joliet quarried limestone. The 154 foot tall castle with 138 foot tall standpipe was to help equalize the water pressure from a nearby pumping station. It was one of the few structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The actual standpipe was removed in 1911; it's now a tourist center and home to City Gallery.

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Uploaded on June 16, 2008
Taken on December 29, 2002